Swedish Ambassador to Moldova: We’ll be glad to see you join the European family
The Republic of Moldova can learn essential lessons from Sweden's experience in the process of joining the European Union, according to Swedish ambassador to Chisinau, Katarina Fried, in an interview with Moldova 1. She highlighted that combating disinformation, investing in civic education, and encouraging active participation from society at all levels are crucial. The ambassador also emphasized that Moldova deserves a place in the European family, and that progress made by the country will help open the doors to EU membership.
It is crucial to take the time to understand what the European Union (EU) is. Rely on trustworthy sources and avoid accepting everything you see on platforms like TikTok or Facebook. Go directly to the source and inform yourself to gain the knowledge necessary for making informed decisions. The EU is not a magical solution; it comes with challenges. However, it represents a strategic choice towards shared prosperity and offers genuine opportunities for collaboration in addressing future challenges. You will join a large community where we will work together. We look forward to seeing you in Brussels and throughout the European family.
Sweden’s journey to joining the EU faced several challenges. Katarina Fried highlighted that the population had concerns about preserving traditions and economic risks. However, these fears were ultimately unfounded. In the 1994 referendum, 53% of citizens voted in favor of integrating into the community bloc.
The path has been long but rewarding. Today, there is overwhelming support for our EU membership. Since joining, Sweden has gained approximately 30 billion euros annually, benefiting from access to numerous free trade agreements and the freedom to move, work, and study in all member states.
According to the diplomat, bilateral cooperation between Sweden and the Republic of Moldova has significantly intensified in recent years, thanks to the involvement of Swedish institutions such as the Police, Tax Authority, and environmental and audit agencies. These collaborations focus on key areas like justice, sustainability, and building the resilience of local communities.
Furthermore, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Sweden has provided approximately 1.2 billion lei in bilateral support to the Republic of Moldova. Our cooperation is yielding concrete results, particularly in the trade sector.
